I found several hand-size shells on a Baja beach last winter, and learned they’re called pen shells. I would have named the translucent beauties fan shells, since they look like fluted fans decorated ...

It's bendy but brittle, visible but hidden, a silk weaver capable of producing a rare black pearl. Though this cross-trained mollusk sounds like some exotic gem of far-off shores, it's actually quite ...

VILLEFRANCHE-SUR-MER, France (AFP) - With wing-shaped shells lined with iridescent mother-of-pearl and producing the fibres of rare and delicate sea silk, the noble pen shell clam is one of the most ...